title: Effect of class IV laser therapy on chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis: a clinical and experimental study.
abstract: Oral mucositis (OM) is a serious and acute side effect in patients with cancer who receive chemotherapy or radiotherapy, often leading to the suspension of therapy and a need for opioid analgesic and enteral/parenteral nutrition, with an effect on patient survival. Among the various interventions proposed in OM management, laser therapy is becoming a recommended treatment option but has limitations due to its heterogeneous laser parameters. Here, we report on our successful clinical experience on the use of class IV laser therapy to treat OM induced by different chemotherapy regimens. To shed light on the mechanisms of action of laser therapy in improving OM resolution, we have developed an animal model of chemotherapy-induced OM, in which we compare the efficacy of the standard low-power laser therapy protocol with an innovative protocol, defined as high-power laser therapy. We show that high-power laser therapy is more effective than low-power laser therapy in improving OM lesion healing, reducing the inflammatory burden, and preserving tissue integrity. In addition, high-power laser therapy has been particularly effective in promoting the formation of new arterioles within the granulation tissue. Our results provide important insights into the mechanism of action of biostimulating laser therapy on OM in vivo and pave a way for clinical experimentation with the use of high-power laser therapy.
authors.affiliation: Division of Oral Pathology, Dental Science Department, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ottaviani
authors.affiliation: Division of Oral Pathology, Dental Science Department, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Margherita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gobbo
authors.affiliation: Molecular Medicine Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sturnega
authors.affiliation: Molecular Medicine Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Martinelli
authors.affiliation: Molecular Medicine Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mano
authors.affiliation: Department of Histology and Pathology, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zanconati
authors.affiliation: Department of Histology and Pathology, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Rossana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bussani
authors.affiliation: Division of Oral Pathology, Dental Science Department, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Perinetti
authors.affiliation: University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colorado.
authors.forename: Carlin S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Long
authors.affiliation: Division of Oral Pathology, Dental Science Department, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Di Lenarda
authors.affiliation: Molecular Medicine Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Giacca
authors.affiliation: Division of Oral Pathology, Dental Science Department, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Biasotto
authors.affiliation: Molecular Medicine Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy. Electronic address: zacchign@icgeb.org.
authors.forename: Serena
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zacchigna
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013280:Stomatitis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents